Page 63 of Festive Flings

Melody takes to the stage to do her reading and the crowd that have come to see her erupt into life. They encourage her so well; she has awesome supporters. She takes her time and then also answers a couple of questions from the crowd. Her fans, already armed with her newest paperback, swamp her to ask for signatures and she is generous to them and doesn’t take their loyalty for granted. I watch from afar as Melody makes a beeline for Lol. I wonder what they are talking about.

The queue for the counter is becoming larger by the second and I hope Jonty hasn’t broken the card machine again. The man is a disaster! When I check on him, I see him deep in conversation with a gorgeous couple, so I have to go and prompt him back to work.

The closer I get, the better this couple look, there is something very special about them alright. The woman has long dark hair, but it is evident she is a natural blonde just like me. She is beautiful. If only she was a little older… or I was a little younger. Her boyfriend is incredibly handsome; he has an air of authority about him. He reminds me so much of Jonty when he was younger.

Jonty looks engrossed and excited, and when he points to the ring on the man’s finger, I get it. It’s the same ring Jonty is wearing: a token of our kink. No wonder they appear special! Our ‘kind’ seem to attract each other like magnets.

I can’t help but feel flattered when I compliment the young woman and her boyfriend looks at me admiringly, telling me he is game for fun. Maybe another time, another place, but right now it’s the biggest night at Tables & Fables and if I slope off, so will my staff.

The surprise performance of the night has got to be Tim. He looks so different in his casual clothes with his guitar in his hands and the mic close to his lips. “This song is for my beautiful fiancée. You all know her as Lol Outloud but to me she is my Flower, my Lauren. I love you.” He blows a kiss to Lol and the crowd is in raptures. As he sings ‘Dig a Pony’ directly to her, Lol cries, in fact I think we all do. Tim is a talented showman and the song, although not as widely known as some of The Beatles other hits, is absolutely perfect.

Jamie and Owen return shortly before midnight and while I help to serve the last customers before the countdown starts, she gathers the children together so we can do the countdown as usual, as a family. “Here is to a new year, a new chapter and new beginnings. I hope the happiness we found at the end of this year continues into the next,” Owen says as he clinks glasses with Jamie. They are so loved up; I couldn’t have wished for better for my little sister.

I pick up my little Chloe as we do the countdown. Jonty holds on to Oscar by the shoulders so he doesn’t scarper back to his PlayStation. Jamie and Owen are already kissing.

“Happy New Year, everyone…” I shout as the bells of Big Ben chime throughout the whole city.

“Happy New Year, Bilbo,” Jonty murmurs into my ear before kissing me sweetly.

“Happy New Year, my sexy silver fox.”

The worst part about being the boss is that you can’t slack. This morning as I open the Café, I am already yawning and my body screams for its bed. My day is brightened when the young, handsome man with the kink ring that we met last night shows up asking for a word in private.

I take him into the back office and thankfully, due to hangovers and lack of sleep, no one takes any notice of us. “I wanted to approach you about a dynamic. My girl, Liv, has never been with a woman before but would like to explore it. I immediately thought of you. I know you are interested. I can tell you know what you’re doing and that you can be trusted. This is my card if you are interested in the four of us meeting in the future.”

I take his card and tell him I will discuss it with Jonty. Trying to be discreet, I take a peek at the name on his card.

Noah Stamer

Stamer Luxury Hotels Group.

Oh my! I can’t keep my surprise in. "The Noah Stamer?"

He nods to me, self assured and confident.

"Ok, Noah Stamer. I will definitely discuss this with my husband. Are you sure your girl is up for this?"

"Trust me, Liv and I are completely on the same page."

I give him two Tables & Fables mugs as he leaves and he smiles as he looks down at them.

"We'll both have no option but to think of you now when we drink our coffee."

The thought sends a thrill through me.

~ The End ~